Acting Up. Honest Conversations With Working Actors.

In Episode 10, I’m joined by actor, comedian and improviser Lily Hensby as she prepares to take her show “I, Julia” to the Sydney Comedy Festival. Inspired by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, we dive into the female comedy icons who shaped Lily’s voice from Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to Kate McKinnon and what shows like Saturday Night Live represent for performers coming up today. We talk about why Australia do...

Is there a “correct” way into acting? In Episode 9, Kloud and Sarah say there isn’t. One followed a traditional path of training, writing, directing, collaborating. The other knocked on a door… and ended up on a film set. Together, they dive into pathways, branding, networking, and the realities of building a creative career across Sydney and Melbourne. With conversations around festivals like MIF...

I’m joined by John O’Hara and Mat Verevis in Episode 8, two seriously bookable actors you’ll recognise from Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and countless other productions. We talk about what it really means to build a life in this industry; the auditions, the hustle, the gig economy that all go into creating a sustainable career… alongside the quieter moments in between. Then once you book the show...

For Episode 7 we are inside the rehearsal room of Contest at Flight Path Theatre I sit down with director Kirsty Semaan and actors Willa King, Emma Monk and Lana Morgan from Space Jump Theatre We talk producing new work, profit share realities, building audiences from scratch, and what it really means to be a female actor in 2026. An honest conversation about ambition, sustainability, and why we k...

Three years ago, Daniel was an accountant. Today, he’s a leading name in the global vertical micro-drama industry, one of the fastest-growing areas in screen performance, now valued in the billions of dollars. In this episode of Acting Up , Daniel shares how he made the leap from spreadsheets to storytelling, landed his first vertical acting gig, and built a full-time, international career in micr...

From one line in a read-through to two years on Broadway... In Episode 5, I’m joined by my friend James (back from Episode 2) for a fabulous conversation with the brilliant Tricia Paoluccio , who was recently in Sydney starring as Dolly Parton in Here You Come Again . Tricia talks about co-creating the show with her husband, the incredible good fortune of securing a grant and permission to use Dol...

Welcome to Episode 4! This was my first ever Zoom interview, and I’m chatting with two Melbourne-based actors whose paths into the industry couldn’t be more different, yet whose generosity, craft, and passion align perfectly. Emily Joy was the first actor to reach out to me who wasn’t already in my immediate circle, and true to her name, she has brought nothing but joy and support to Acting Up . E...

It was a true honour to sit down with the one and only Todd McKenney for Episode 3! Todd opens up about his extraordinary career across stage, television, and film; from starring in Baz Luhrmann’s first film Strictly Ballroom , to performing in over 40 hit musicals and and becoming the loveable yet “honest” judge on Dancing With the Stars , entertaining millions every week. We chat about the magic...

In Episode 2 of Acting Up , I sit down with actor David and dancer James, who share their generous and candid insights into the highs and lows of life on stage. We talk big wins like touring, leading roles, and long contracts, as well as the tougher moments and why even the “shopping centre gigs” are worth celebrating. From cruise ships to Shakespeare, TikTok fame to ushering in theatres, this is...

"Why don't you just go on Home & Away ?" In the very first episode of Acting Up , Amy and Megan let us into the realities of being a working actor in Australia today. From juggling auditions, self-tapes, and casual jobs while trying to maintain a social life, to remembering the magic sparks that made them choose acting in the first place, we unpack the nitty-gritty hustle it takes to self-advo...

Here’s a quick taste of what’s to come on the first episode of Acting Up. Honest Conversations with Working Actors . Expect refreshingly real, funny, and fearless chats with people making art and making rent. Have questions you'd like Sophie to ask her guests, or would you like to be a guest yourself? DM @acting_up_podcast and please do follow Acting Up and spread the word of this new show!